Condensed Consolidating Financial Information (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 31,627	$ 43,753	$ 31,137	$ 27,201
Accounts receivable, net	527,663	552,868
Inventories	2,023,529	1,991,167
Other current assets	89,488	90,854
Assets held for sale	108,468	94,441
Total current assets	2,780,775	2,773,083
Property and equipment, net	1,078,627	1,023,781
Intangible assets	1,225,591	1,258,012
Equity method investments	311,251	303,160
Other long-term assets	18,738	20,954
Total assets	5,414,982	5,378,990
Floor plan notes payable	1,425,199	1,408,363
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade	744,223	716,621
Accounts payable	287,744	263,349
Accrued expenses	226,080	223,574
Current portion of long-term debt	33,053	19,493
Liabilities held for sale	81,452	62,156
Total current liabilities	2,797,751	2,693,556
Long-term debt	858,676	918,024
Deferred tax liabilities	297,851	287,818
Other long-term liabilities	155,128	163,271
Total liabilities	4,109,406	4,062,669
Total equity	1,305,576	1,316,321
Total liabilities and equity	5,414,982	5,378,990
5.75% Notes
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.75%
Domestic Subsidiaries ownership guaranteeing obligations	100.00%
Eliminations
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, net	(352,395)	(340,917)
Total current assets	(352,395)	(340,917)
Other long-term assets	(1,459,958)	(1,527,156)
Total assets	(1,812,353)	(1,868,073)
Accrued expenses	(352,395)	(340,917)
Total current liabilities	(352,395)	(340,917)
Long-term debt	(39,314)	(38,692)
Total liabilities	(391,709)	(379,609)
Total equity	(1,420,644)	(1,488,464)
Total liabilities and equity	(1,812,353)	(1,868,073)
Penske Automotive Group
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Accounts receivable, net	352,395	340,917
Other current assets	3,375	3,546
Total current assets	355,770	344,463
Property and equipment, net	4,353	4,474
Equity method investments	254,392	252,816
Other long-term assets	1,473,072	1,540,447
Total assets	2,087,587	2,142,200
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade	109,321	112,085
Accounts payable	2,564	3,344
Accrued expenses	126	450
Total current liabilities	112,011	115,879
Long-term debt	670,000	710,000
Total liabilities	782,011	825,879
Total equity	1,305,576	1,316,321
Total liabilities and equity	2,087,587	2,142,200
Penske Automotive Group | 5.75% Notes
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Interest rate (as a percent)	5.75%	5.75%
Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Cash and cash equivalents	19,102	36,783	10,417	27,201
Accounts receivable, net	293,820	372,638
Inventories	1,206,377	1,197,456
Other current assets	41,500	55,836
Assets held for sale	66,477	59,113
Total current assets	1,627,276	1,721,826
Property and equipment, net	727,320	654,248
Intangible assets	763,430	756,655
Other long-term assets	4,086	5,025
Total assets	3,122,112	3,137,754
Floor plan notes payable	884,419	917,390
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade	317,087	334,122
Accounts payable	124,555	123,754
Accrued expenses	127,936	113,753
Current portion of long-term debt	23,932	9,745
Liabilities held for sale	42,717	33,163
Total current liabilities	1,520,646	1,531,927
Long-term debt	156,321	121,618
Deferred tax liabilities	272,900	260,445
Other long-term liabilities	81,088	84,108
Total liabilities	2,030,955	1,998,098
Total equity	1,091,157	1,139,656
Total liabilities and equity	3,122,112	3,137,754
Domestic Subsidiaries ownership guaranteeing obligations	100.00%
Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
Cash and cash equivalents	12,525	6,970	20,720
Accounts receivable, net	233,843	180,230
Inventories	817,152	793,711
Other current assets	44,613	31,472
Assets held for sale	41,991	35,328
Total current assets	1,150,124	1,047,711
Property and equipment, net	346,954	365,059
Intangible assets	462,161	501,357
Equity method investments	56,859	50,344
Other long-term assets	1,538	2,638
Total assets	2,017,636	1,967,109
Floor plan notes payable	540,780	490,973
Floor plan notes payable - non-trade	317,815	270,414
Accounts payable	160,625	136,251
Accrued expenses	450,413	450,288
Current portion of long-term debt	9,121	9,748
Liabilities held for sale	38,735	28,993
Total current liabilities	1,517,489	1,386,667
Long-term debt	71,669	125,098
Deferred tax liabilities	24,951	27,373
Other long-term liabilities	74,040	79,163
Total liabilities	1,688,149	1,618,301
Total equity	329,487	348,808
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,017,636	$ 1,967,109